Improvement in reversible latches



B. ERBE. Reversible Latch.

No. 213,501. Patented Mar. 25, 1879.

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BARTHEL ERBE, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN REVERSIBLE LATCHES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 213,501, dated March 25, 1879 application filed December 20, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BARTHEL ERBE, of Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvementin ReversibleLatches; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in

which- Figure 1 is a view of a lock having my improvements applied, the cap-plate being partially removed. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the yoke. Fig. 3 is a similar view of the latch. Fig. 4c is a view of a modification. Fig. 5 is a detached view of the yoke thereof, and Fig. 6 is a similar view of its latch.

Like letters refer to like parts wherever they occur.

My invention relates to the construction of reversible latches, or that class of latches capable of being arranged so as to adapt them for use with either a right or left hand door.

The object of the invention is the reduction of the number of parts, whereby the cost of manufacture is reduced, and the simplification of the construction, whereby the locks are made more durable, more easily finished, are more readily reversed, and are less likely to get out of order.

I will now proceed to describe my invention,

so that others skilled in the art to which it appertains may apply the same. In the drawings, A indicates the usual or any approved form of lock-case; B, the hub; G, the yoke; D, the latch, and E the yokespring.

The yoke C, I form with a lug, stump, pin, or equivalent device, 0, adapted to interlock with a recess in the latch D, so that when the yoke and latch are in line the two will move together; and in order to be able to throw the latch and yoke out of line to disengage the lug or pin 0, 1 form a second bearing on the yoke, preferring to do so as shown in Fig. 1- that is to say, by means of a pin, 0 which enters an open slot in the end of the latch D, though the same result will be accomplished if the bearing 0 Fig. 4, is made on the upper edge of the yoke. The construction shown in Fig. 1, 0 is, however, the most desirable,

as a single device will thus serve to limit the introduction of the latch D, whereas in the construction shown in Fig. 2 a second device or stop, 0 will be required for the last-mentioned purpose. 0 indicates a guide, lug, or projection formed near the opposite edge of the yoke O, to direct the end of the latch while the same is being inserted; and in order that the guide may not interfere with the movement of the yoke and latch on each other, I usually form it sloping or wedge-shaped, as shown.

D indicates the latch, notched or indented on its stem, as at d, so that it will interlock or engage with the lug or pin 0 of the yoke, and move with the yoke when the parts are in position for use. As the latch is to be reversible there will be at least two notches, d, one on each side of the stem.

The yoke G will be provided with the usual spring E, and the case may have a stump, e, to counteract the spring, if desired, while the reverse movement of the yoke will be controlled by the usual screw when the lock is in position; but such features form no part of the present invention, are not essential, and may be modified or omitted in part at the will of the manufacturer.

The devices when in use occupy the position shown in full lines in the drawings; but when it is desired to reverse the latch the outer end of the latch is pressed or pulled, so as to bring the yoke and latch into the positions indicated in dotted lines, Fig. 4, which frees the engaging portions 0 and d, and permits the latch to be withdrawn and reversed. On replacing the latch the end will strike the guide 0 and be directed into position, and as soon as the yoke and latch are allowed to align, the pin or lug 0 will enter the notch d, and the yoke and latch will be connected and move together.

The advantages of my invention are the simplicity and durability of the devices, and the ease with which the latch can be withdrawn and reversed without displacing any part of the case.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1" The combination, in a reversible latch,

3. The combination, in a. reversible latch, of a yoke having a locking or connecting pin or lug and a guidelug with a, latch having notches on opposite sides of its stem, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I, the said BARTHEL ERBE, have hereunto set my hand.

BARTHEL ERBE.

\Vitnesses:

R. H. WHITTLEsEY, F. W. RITTER, J r. 

